Microsoft is changing a
long-standing tradition when it comes to upgrading from a previous version of
Windows to Windows Vista. When using an upgrade CD, popping in a previous version disc during setup will no longer satisfy the people in Redmond.

For example, when performing a clean install of Windows XP
Professional using an upgrade CD, users would run through the normal setup
routine until prompted to insert a previous version of Windows. A user could
pop in a Windows 98 or Windows 2000 CD for upgrade compliance and then the
setup routine would move along as usual.

For most users, this wouldn't be a problem. They more than likely
have an existing copy of Windows XP installed and would have no problems
upgrading to Windows Vista with an upgrade CD.

But for do-it-yourselfers who buy a Vista upgrade CD and think
that they can easily perform a clean install whenever they feel free are going
to run into the road block. In this case, the road block means that users
wanting to perform
a clean install with a Vista upgrade CD will have to:

So if you plan on saving money by using a Vista upgrade CD instead
of purchasing a full copy, be aware that you’re have a few extra steps involved
before booting to the Vista desktop for the first time. If you don’t want to
deal with the hassle, you’re going to have to pony up for a full copy of Vista.

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I don't know how you create and install a OS immage, but for me a fully installed XP with everything on in Ghost32 takes 3 minutes and about the same for my RC2 Vista with quite a lot installed on it.

For those that use images to reinstall this shouldn't be a problem at all. Yeah it will be the first time, but afterwards, why do a whole install of Vista over a image of XP. Make a image of Vista at first boot and use that skipping all install procedures, on future "clean" installs. That would work easier with hardware upgrades too, since no proprietary drivers are installed on the image.

I just had a thought. What if...I installed Vista (or any OS) using the F6 method for RAID, activated the OS and make a ghost image. Each and every time I reinstall from the image I have to RAID the drives. In the future, what if I decide I nolonger wanted to RAID, but wanted to use AHCI or even IDE. I will now have a corrupt installation from the ghost image.

Should I...(A) make several different ghost images of the different install scenarios, (B) reactivate after each new installation, or (C) just buy a full upgrade and install without any problems?